If your house is anything like mine on Christmas morning, it’s pure chaos! I still want to make sure everyone gets breakfast, though, and that’s why I turn to the air fryer. You can make these fun holiday themed Grinch cinnamon rolls in only about 15 minutes for an easy Christmas breakfast.
Why Make Grinch Inspired Cinnamon Rolls?
Grinch-inspired cinnamon rolls are a fun, holiday-themed twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, made with green icing designed to resemble the iconic character from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
They’re the perfect sweet breakfast for Christmas morning or holiday parties, since they’re fun, festive, and incredibly easy to make.
Using canned cinnamon rolls saves time, and it’s even better in the air fryer, where they cook up in just about 10 minutes! While the rolls bake, you can mix up some frosting with green dye and grab some red heart sprinkles to add the perfect finishing touch.
These Grinch rolls are loved by kids and adults alike! Plus, since you can prepare them quickly, you can get back to opening gifts and spending time together that much sooner.
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Ingredients For Grinch Cinnamon Rolls
- 12-ounce can cinnamon rolls (8 count)
- 8 ounces vanilla or cream cheese frosting
- 10 drops neon green food coloring + 3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
- 8 red heart candy sprinkles
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can also make homemade frosting if you prefer, but I use the canned option since it’s faster
- The color with just the neon green is still pretty good, but I find if you add a few drops of plain yellow it’s more Grinch-like
- I use these heart shaped candies (which are also great for Valentine’s) but you can use anything similar!
Step By Step Instructions
- Open the can, separate the individual rolls, and then place cinnamon rolls into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with air space between each one. You can use a piece of perforated parchment under the rolls for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking
- Cook on the air fryer setting at 360°F for 8-10 minutes (no need to preheat), until browned to your liking and cooked through. If the bottoms are too blonde for your preferences, flip them and cook an additional 2-3 minutes
- While the cinnamon rolls are baking, make the green frosting. Simply tint your frosting with the green food coloring. I usually add a few drops to the frosting in a bowl, mix well, and then repeat, adding additional food coloring as needed until I get a shade I like (for reference, as pictured is 10 drops of neon green food coloring and 3 of yellow)
- Remove the cinnamon rolls from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly (if they’re too hot the frosting will melt)
- Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cinnamon rolls, then top each one with a candy heart. Enjoy!
Alternate Oven Baking Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Place the separated cinnamon rolls onto a baking sheet, or into a round cake pan with the sides touching if you prefer softer sides
- Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, or until browned and cooked through
Tips For Shaping The Dough
While these fun Christmas cinnamon rolls are delicious as-is in the normal round shape, you can also make the dough into heart shapes prior to baking, just like the Grinch’s heart!
- Pull the dough from the center of the circle downward into a point
- Use a toothpick or skewer to press in the rounded top edge to make the divot for a heart shape
- Proceed to cook as normal!
Serving Suggestions For a Festive Brunch
To complete a Christmas brunch spread featuring Grinch-inspired cinnamon rolls, pair them with other festive sweet and savory breakfast or brunch dishes. Here are some some of my favorite options:
Egg Casserole or Quiche
A savory egg casserole or quiche is a great choice to balance the sweetness of the cinnamon rolls. Opt for a recipe with vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, and onions for freshness (I like spinach for the green color)!
My Air Fryer Steak and Spinach Crustless Quiche is a great choice, or if you’re in a hurry these Air Fryer Frozen Mini Quiche are perfect!
Fresh Fruit Salad
A colorful fruit salad with red and green fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, and kiwi, not only fits the Christmas theme but also adds a refreshing, light option!
Bacon or Sausage Links
Crispy bacon or sausage links bring a savory, salty contrast to the sweet rolls.
My Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage Links are a perfect option, or, for a festive twist, try maple glazed or candied bacon!
Yogurt Parfaits
Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries (like raspberries and blueberries) to create a light, protein-packed addition to your brunch menu!
Mimosas or Hot Chocolate
Offer a drink pairing like classic mimosas for the adults or a festive hot chocolate bar with whipped cream, marshmallows, and peppermint candy for everyone.
For an extra Grinchy theme, serve Grinch Mimosas or Grinch Hot Chocolate!
Roasted Potatoes or Hash Browns
Add a savory starch like roasted breakfast potatoes or crispy hash browns. These sides are always a hit and help round out the meal.
I love quick and crispy Trader Joe’s Frozen Hash Browns in the Air Fryer!
Recipe FAQs
What is a Grinch Roll?
A Grinch roll is simply a cinnamon roll that has green frosting added on top, along with a red candy heart. It can be baked into a heart shape as well, if desired.
While it’s easiest to use canned cinnamon rolls for the convenience, you can also make a homemade version. In that case, the dough may also be colored green for added Grinchiness!
What Else Can I Top These With?
Additional toppings can include festive holiday sprinkles, chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture, or even a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce.
Grinch rolls are delicious with cream cheese frosting or vanilla frosting as the base, tinted green of course. You can also use the included cinnamon roll icing if you prefer!
Can I Use the Icing the Cinnamon Rolls Come With?
Certainly! The icing in the package of cinnamon rolls is thinner than frosting, so it won’t produce as bold or vibrant of a color when tinted green.
However, it works perfectly fine if you don’t want to get or make the additional frosting.
Pro Tips For the Best Cinnamon Rolls
- I find that if you do shape the rolls, they “bounce back” a bit as they cook, so don’t expect perfect heart shaped rolls, but they’re still fun! Feel free to trim off any rogue strips of dough that curl off the end as well
Storage and Serving Tips
- If you used a non-dairy based frosting (or have some unfrosted ones), you can store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer term storage (or dairy based frostings), store in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Cinnamon rolls can be enjoyed at room temperature, or you can microwave for about 30 seconds to warm them up (though the frosting melts a bit)
- Feel free to add extra decorative toppings when serving these festive treats, like holiday sprinkles, or whipped cream and a maraschino cherry!
- Grinch Oreo Balls
Final Thoughts
These easy Grinch cinnamon rolls are a favorite dish for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch, as well as movie night, or your holiday Grinch themed party! They’re simple to make, perfectly themed treats that are loved by kids and adults alike.
The air fryer allows you to bake them up in only about 10 minutes, leaving your big oven open if you have the roast going for dinner already (plus it’s a time saver either way)!
Add that perfect swirl of green frosting and a heart shaped candy garnish, and your heart may grow three sizes too! Either way, they’re sure to be a hit, and will make your busy morning a little bit easier as well.
Easy Grinch Cinnamon Rolls (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Spatula (or similar)
Ingredients
- 12 ounce can cinnamon rolls (8 count)
- 8 ounces vanilla or cream cheese frosting
- 10 drop neon green food coloring (plus 3 drops yellow – optional)
- 8 red heart candy sprinkles
Instructions
- Open the can, separate the individual rolls, and then place cinnamon rolls into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with air space between each one. You can use a piece of perforated parchment under the rolls for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking12 ounce can cinnamon rolls
- Cook on the air fryer setting at 360°F for 8-10 minutes (no need to preheat), until browned to your liking and cooked through. If the bottoms are too blonde for your preferences, flip them and cook an additional 2-3 minutes
- While the cinnamon rolls are baking, make the green frosting. Simply tint your frosting with the green food coloring. I usually add a few drops to the frosting in a bowl, mix well, and then repeat, adding additional food coloring as needed until I get a shade I like (for reference, as pictured is 10 drops of neon green food coloring and 3 of yellow)8 ounces vanilla or cream cheese frosting, 10 drop neon green food coloring
- Remove the cinnamon rolls from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly (if they’re too hot the frosting will melt)
- Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cinnamon rolls, then top each one with a candy heart. Enjoy!8 red heart candy sprinkles
Notes
- You can also make homemade frosting if you prefer, but I use the canned option since it’s faster
- The color with just the neon green is still pretty good, but I find if you add a few drops of plain yellow it’s more Grinch-like
- Any red heart-shaped candies or sprinkles you like work fine. Even a Christmas blend with hearts in it is a great choice!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any decorations added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
